Pioneer Rocketplane Limited Inc.

[spacester]

Pioneer Rocketplane Limited Inc.

The RocketplaneŽ XP Vehicle is a four-seat fighter-sized vehicle fitted with a delta wing and a V-tail which provide good flight characteristics both subsonically and supersonically. The cabin environment is designed to maintain a comfortable temperature and pressure for the occupants while providing an excellent view of the Earth from space. It is constructed with many of the same systems as a normal jet aircraft, but also includes features required for its flight into space including its rocket engine, reaction control system (RCS), and internal air supply.

The vehicle is powered by both turbojet engines and a rocket engine, enabling it to accelerate to speeds just over 3,500 feet per second (2,386 miles per hour) and reach altitudes in excess of 330,000 feet (100 kilometers) providing the sensation of weightlessness for three to four minutes!

The thermal protection system, the wing propellant tanks, and other systems are designed with the possibility of eventual upgrade so that the option for a longer-range aircraft can be realized in the future without the need for expensive reinvestment.

The XP will operate from ordinary airfields within the well-established rules and practices for experimental aircraft.

General Characteristics

Length: 43 feet
Diameter: 5 feet
GTOW: 19,500 lbs
Dry Weight: 8,500 lbs
Crew Environment: Pressurized cabin to ~10 psi
Payload Capacity: 950 lbs
No. Jet Engines: 2
No. of Rocket Engines: 1
Rocket Propellant: LOX / Kerosene
Nominal Rocket Thrust: 36,000 lbs

[spacester]

rocketsaway.net seems to have an inside track on these guys.

I just got an e-mail alert, I don't find it anywhere else on the net (scoop potential):

Oklahoma City, OK 1/24/06 NASA is loaning a rocket engine to Rocketplane Limited, Inc. of Oklahoma City as part of an innovative industry partnership program.

The program highlights NASA's efforts to share advanced aeronautics, space and related technologies with the private sector to use ideas and investments that can lead to new capabilities.

...

NASA's Johnson Space Center, Houston, and the company signed a Space Act Agreement for use of an RS-88 engine in tests of its Rocketplane XP vehicle for three years. The company will provide NASA with design, test and operational information from the development.

"We are always looking for ways to partner with the private sector to foster new commercial opportunities, such as this chance to work with Rocketplane on a commercial reusable launch vehicle," said Helen Lane, acting director of Johnson's Office of Technology Transfer. "NASA strives to ensure the products of its research and development benefit the public to the greatest extent possible."

"With NASA, the Federal Aviation Administration, and the support of local, state and federal governments, we hope to develop a safe, affordable and reusable spaceplane by integrating established technologies, such as the RS-88 engine," said Bob Seto, Rocketplane's Vice President of Engineering and Analysis. According to Seto, the craft completed a preliminary design review in March 2005, and it is in the detail design phase. Commercial flights are scheduled to begin in 2007.

[Rocket Nut]

Here is another opportunity to use the shuttle landing facility here in Florida if the bureaucrats will let it happen.  This seems like a natural for space tourism at the Cape.  Such a long runway and so little use!

Cheers,

Larry

[RRP]

Is there a concept photo or drawing available?

[Stowbridge]

http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=1343&posts=4

[publiusr]

I don't want any of the alt.spacers using shuttle runways as long as they bash NASA. If they have so much better ideas, let them pave their own runway.

Rutan got me mad with his little "Spaceship One Gov't Zero" poster. And now that flimsy Global Flyer is to use the shuttle strip? And from there to be yet another anarchist contraption clogging up the Smithsonian Air & Space Museum paid for with my tax dollars!

Argh!

[cuddihy]

Anbody know anything about the RS-88? It's not listed in Mark Wade's Encyclopedia Astronautica (my usual site for basic info on engines).

[braddock]

cuddihy - 9/2/2006  12:42 AM
Anbody know anything about the RS-88? It's not listed in Mark Wade's Encyclopedia Astronautica (my usual site for basic info on engines).

I couldn't find much on it either; what I could find is on the other Rockeplane thread:
http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=1343&start=1